Clamp for holding dentures



NW. 17, 1953 R. w. ERICKSON ETAL CLAMP FOR HOLDING DENTURES Filed Dec. 27. 1951 "nunnlnl, I

uvwszvroxs 63942155 6 Ono/v Raw/101.0 W. ERIC/(501V ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 17, 1953 CLAMP FOR HOLDING DENTUB S' Reinhold Erickson, Euclid, Ohio, and Charles S. Olson, Long Beach, Miss.

Application December 27, 1951, Serial N 0.263556 13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to devices for holding dentures and more particularly .to an improved clamp for yieldingly g ipping a denture plate to hold it for cleaning or repairing.

Denture clamps heretofore known have not been entirely satisfactory for numerous reasons. One of the principal objections to conventional clamps is that severe or localized stresses are imposed on the denture and the rather fragile and delicate construction of some dentures results in fracture or other damage.

Conventional clamps are frequently diflicult to manipulate and require considerable manual dexterity in mounting a denture plate that is to be cleaned or repaired. Clamps which are easy to manipulate and which properly cushion the denture have usually been quite complicated and costly.

The present invention has, therefore, as its principal object, the provision of ,a generally improved denture clamp that is simple in design and construction and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and that yieldingly cushions delicate and fragile portions of a denture held thereby while yet being easy to manipulate or handle in mounting or removing .a denture.

Another object is to provide a denture clamp of the character mentioned which is both light in weight and is conveniently handled for manipulating a clamped denture in servicing or cleaning the latter.

Another object is to provide such a denture clamp which is designed so as to present smooth contours and fully exposed surfaces and which can be easily disassembled to facilitate cleanin and sterilization of the clamp- A more specific object is concerned with th provision of a denture clam incorporatin a spring pressed or biased member that yieldingly engages the denture, the device also incorporating resilient cushions or pads for engaging fragile portions of a denture held thereagainst by the spring biased member. According to a specialized version of the invention, the device comprises a body member in which a spring biased clamping rod is slidably mounted, the body member having offset denture receiving portions desirably in the form of a pair of spaced obliquely disposed cups, and the rod having an offset portion fitted with a rubber cushion for engaging the curved frontal portion of a conventional denture and holding the heel of the denture against the cups in a three point suspension of the denture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relate to certain novel details Of con t uction and combinations and arrangements or parts set forth in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment. This description is made in connection with th a mp ying drawings forming a part of the specification.

In the drawings:

Figure l is .a plan view, partly in section and with parts broken away and removed, of the improved denture clamp device showing diagrammatically and by broken lines a denture plate held by the device;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the denture clamp with the rubber cushion .pad removed from the cup, the section being taken substantially along the line indicated at 2-2 of Fi Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional detail taken substantially along the line 3-3 of ig- 1, h ru r p ds being removed from th cups in this view;

tie. a is an end view of t e devi e, w pa broken away and removed, showing the actuating button or handle;

' Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational detail showing one of the cups for receiving the heel part of the denture, the rubber cushion .or pad being removed; v

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional detail through one of the heel receiving cup this view being taken substantially along the line indicated at 5-6 of Fig. 3 and the rubber cushion or pad be- .ing removed;

Fi 7 is a p an view of one o the rubber u hions or pads em d f om the cup in whi h t is supp rt d n the body o ed i e;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the rubber cushion or pad; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail t ou h on Of th limbs or handle portions of the body, this view being taken substantially along the line indicated at 9-9 of Fig. 1

The clamping device of the present invention comprises a body member I bifurcated at p e ends in the provision at ne end of a pair of divergent dentur supporting limbs .2 and .3 that receive the denture heel, and at the he en f pp s t l directed handle limbs'll and 5 wh ch receive th fin er of the operator. The body member, together with the integral pairs of limbs at its ends, is forme as by casting of a light metal such as zinc or aluminum. A smooth corrosion resisting finish may be :provided on the surface of the body as by plating. For pr du i g a cheap device which ee not ing prongs I2.

3 withstand rough treatment and high tempera-' tures such as encountered in sterilizing apparatus, a plastic material or even a stiff rubber composition may be used for the body.

Extending longitudinally through the body and freely slidable therein for relative endwise movement is a clamping member in the form of a metal rod 6. This rod and passage I3 in which it is guided in the clamping body I are complementally shaped to a square or other noncircular section as shown in Fig. 3 to prevent turning of the rod in or relative to the body.

The slide path of the rod, which coincides with its longitudinal axis, bisects the angle between the divergent denture receiving limbs 2 and 3. The rod projects beyond the body I and is bent at I to provide an angularly disposed denture engaging hook portion 8 located in the angle between the denture supporting limbs. This denture engaging portion or rod end is thus in offset relation and approximately at 90 to the rod axis. A cushion in the form of a soft rubber tube 9 is drawn and stretched over the rod end 8 to resist slippage and to prevent damage or surface injury to a denture engaged by this part of the clamping member.

At their outer ends the limbs 2 and -3 are each formed with an integral cup ID for receiving and supporting a heel part of denture D (Fig. 1). These spaced cups have openings disposed in planes which are intersected by the slide path or axis of the clamping rod 6 at a common point and at acute angles. The cup openings are thus oblique to the rod axis and are directed slightly toward one another, being in obtusely angled planes. The two cups are on opposite sides of the clamping rod and are spaced to receive corners of the heel portion of denture D in sym metric relation. Within each of the cups II] is a resilient rubber cushion which may take the form of a sponge rubber or foam latex pad but preferably comprises a molded rubber base I I and a multiplicity of integral closely spaced upstand- As shown in Figs. 3 and the cups I8 are each oval in form, being elongated in the direction of t eir common axis to accommodate dentures of different widths and sizes. The base portions II of the rubber cushions are formed substantially to the same oval or elliptical shape as the interior of the cups I0 and are molded slightly larger than the cup openings so as to be slightly compressed and confined by the cup walls. This confinement of the rubber pads by the surrounding cup walls frictionally retains the pads or cushions within the cups for normal use while permitting removal of the pads for cleaning or sterilization. The upstanding prongs I2 of the cushion pads are laterally unstable and readily yield under localized pressure applied by part of the heel portion of the denture. This yielding or deformation of the rubber cushion accommodates the irreguarly shaped heels of various types and sizes of dentures and the prongs I2 distribute the pressure applied to the rubber cushions by the denture heel to eliminate concentrated stress on the clamped denture and thereby prevent fracture and, breakage. As shown in Fig. l the height of the rubber cushion pad is the same as the depth of the cup II], or substantially so, to locate the tip ends of the yielding prongs I2 in or adjacent the plane of the cup opening. The cup walls thus support the outermost of the prongs I2 against excessive lateral deflection and prevent dislodgment of the denture heel from the cups or one of them.

At the end of the body I opposite the denture clamping limbs 2 and 3 the rod 6 projects between the oppositely directed hand grip limbs 4 and 5 and receives a button or handle I5 screwed onto the threaded end of the rod. The handle is spaced from the denture body to accommodate a helical coil compression spring received about the rod in this space. The spring normally biases the rod so as to draw it to the left as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2 for the purpose of clamping a denture between the angularly disposed hook portion 8 of the rod end and the heel receiving cups I I! of the clamp body. This three point clamping action is indicated by the broken lines of Fig. 1 which show the displacement of the rod 6 from its normal position to the right in the accommodation of the denture D. This displacement results in compression of the spring I6 which thereby holds the rubber covered rod end 8 pressed yieldingly against the curved frontal surface portion of the denture. A stop in the form of a metal washer 24 is secured on the rod 6 as by brazing and engages the end of the body I to limit the travel of the rod.

Each of the handle or hand grip limbs 4 and 5 is formed with a broad surfaced finger receiving pad portion I8 curved at its outer end toward the cup end of the body as indicated at I9. The front sides of the pad portions I8, being the sides directed toward the cups II), are engaged by the fingers of the operator manipulating the clamp, the thumb or palm of the operators hand being then conveniently pressed against the concave end face 20 of the button or handle I 5 in applying endwise pressure to the rod 6. Thus the device is conveniently held and manipulated by one hand in releasing a clamped denture or in opening the parts in providing the necessary clearance between the cups and the clamping end 8 of the rod to receive a denture to be clamped. Reinforcing ribs 2I may be formed integrally on the rear faces of the oppositely directed grip limbs 4 and 5.

It is thus apparent that the denture clamp described is convenient to use and securely holds dentures of various shapes and sizes in a yielding three point grip which leaves the denture fully exposed for cleaning or repair. The few parts of the clamp can be easily disassembled as by unscrewing the handle button from the rod 6 for cleaning or sterilization. Replacement of damaged or worn parts of the clamping device is also facilitated by this simple construction.

In accordance with the patent statutes the principles of the present invention may be utilized in various ways, numerous modifications and alterations being contemplated, substitution of parts and changes in construction being resorted to as desired, it being understood that the article shown in the drawings and described above is given merely for purposes of explanation and illustration without intending to limit the scope of the claims to the specific details disclosed.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A grip for holding a denture plate of the type having a heel portion and a curved frontal portion, said grip comprising a body member having a bifurcated end providing divergent limbs, said limbs being formed with cups for receiving spaced parts of the heel portion of a denture plate, a rod carried by the body member and guided thereby for longitudinal sliding movement along an axis located in the angle between the limbs of the body, means on the rod for engaging 5 the curved frontal portion ofu-denture plate,-and means resiliently biasing the rod to draw tbeplate engaging means of latter toward the body memberin gripping a denture plate between last named means and the plate receiving of the body member.

2. A grip for holding a denture plate of type having a heel portion and :a curved frontal portion, said grip comprising a body memberbifurcated at both ends in the provision at one end of divergent limbs, said limbs being formed with cups for receiving spaced parts of the heel portionof la denture plate and at the other end of divergent limbs tfor receiving the fingers or an operator, a rod guided by the body member in)? relative longitudinal sliding movement along an .axis Ebisecting the angle between the plate receiv fing limbs, means on one end of the rod for :en gaging the curved frontal portion of denture plate, the other end of the rod projecting beztweensaid other divergent and being en- ;gageable by the 'tlmmbor .palm of an operator whose fingers are received :by said other limbs, "and means resiliently biasing the-rod to draw the plate engaging means of the latter toward the "body member in gripping a denture plate between said last named means and the plate receiving limbs of the body member.

3. A grip for holding a denture plate of the type having a heel portion and a curved frontal =port-ion,:said grip comprising a body member ing a bifurcated end providing divergent said limbs being formed with cups for receiving .spaced parts of the heel portion oi denture the rod and thebody member beingconstrained against relative turning to rota-hi the plate engag-ingmeans on the .rod in predetermined orientation, and means resiliently biasing the rod to draw the plate .engagingmeans .of the latter toward the body member in gripping denture plate between said last named means and the plate receiving limbs of the body member.

4. A grip for holding a denture plate of the type having a heel portion and a curved frontal portion, said grip comprising a body member bifurcated at both ends in the provision at one end of divergent limbs,-said limbs being formed with cups for receiving spaced parts of the heel portion of a denture plate and at the other end of divergent limbs for receiving the fingers of an operator, and means movably mounted on the body'for engagement with adenture plate placed against the heel receiving limbs, said plate re ceiving limbs "being offset from the plane of the body member, said plate engaging means including one element extending into the angle between the heel receiving limbs and another element extending through and beyond the other end of the body member into the angle between the finger receiving limbs for engagement by the palm or thumb of the operator whose fingers are received by the divergent limbs on said other end of the body.

5. A grip for holding a denture plate of the type having a heel portion and a curved frontal portion, said grip comprising a body member bifurcated at both ends in the provision at one end of divergent limbs, said limbs being formed with cups for receiving spaced parts of the heel portion of a denture plate and at the other end of oil 'ceiving limbs for engagement the palm or thumb of the-operator, and resilient means biasing the plate engaging means normally to grip :a-identureplate placed between the heel receivingwcups of said firstim'entioned limbs and said one element of the plate engaging means.

6. A grip for holding a denture plate of the type having a heel portion and a curved frontal portion, :said grip comprising a body member having .a bifurcated end providing divergent limbs, rubber pads mounted on the limbs in "spaced relation for receiving spaced parts of the :heel portion of .a denture plate, a rod carried thebody member and guided thereby for longi- .t-udinal sliding=movement along an axis located in therangle between the limbs of the body, means on one end of the rod for engaging the curved irontal portion of adenture plate, means on the other end of the rod to be engaged by the operator applying endwise pressure to the rod, and a spring carried by the rod and disposed between the body member and one of the rod ends for re- .siliently biasing the rod normally to grip a re ceived denture plate btween the plate engaging means of the rod and-the limbs of the body.

7, A grip .for holding a denture plate of the typehaving a heelportion and a curve; frontal .suriace portion, saidgrip comprising abody meinher having in one end spaced cups adapted to receive spaoedparts .of the heel portion of a denture ,plate, an elongated clamping rod, means guidingthe rod for longitud nal sliding movement relative to the body member, said rod having a longitudinal axis located between the cups and the cups each having an opening for receiving a denture plate heel part in a plane w ch intersects the axis ,of the rod, means on the rod for engaging the frontal surface of a denture plate the heelparts of which are received in the cups,

g'and resilient means within the cups for cushionin the received denture heel parts dis" tr'ibuting clamping pressure thereon.

8. A grip for holding a denture plate of the type having a heel portion and a curved frontal surface "portion, said grip comprisin a body member having .in one end spaced cups adapted to-rec'eive spaced parts of the heel portion of a denture plate, an elongated clamping rod, means guiding the rod for longitudinal sliding movement relative to the body member, said rod having a longitudinal axis located between the cups and the cups each having an openin for receiving a denture plate heel part in a plane which intersects the axis of the rod, means on the rod for engaging the frontal surface of a denture plate the heel parts of which are received in the cups, and rubber pads in the cups for cushioning denture heel parts, said pads each comprising a rubber body disposed against the bottom of the cup and a multiplicity of upstanding integral rubber prongs distributed over the surface of the rubber body, the prongs each being laterally defleotable in deforming to accommodate localized pressure applied by a received denture heel part.

9. A grip for holding a denture plate of the type having a heel portion and a curved frontal surface portion, said grip comprising a body member having in one end spaced cups adapted to receive spaced parts of the heel portion of a denture plate, an elongated clamping rod, means guiding the rod for longitudinal sliding movement relative to the body member, said rod having a longitudinal axis located between the cups and the cups each having an opening for receivinga denture plate heel part in a plane which intersects the axis of the rod, said rod being formed at one end with an angularly disposed portion of engaging the frontal portion of a den- 7 e to receive spaced parts of the heel portion of a denture plate, an elongated clampin rod, means guiding the rod for longitudinal sliding movement relative to the body member, said rod having a longitudinal axis located between the cups and the cups each having an opening for receiving a denture plate heel part in a'plane which intersects the axis of the rod, said rod beingformed at one end with an angularly disposed portion for engaging the frontal portion of a denture plate,

means resiliently biasing the rod normally to draw the plate engaging portion toward the body member for gripping a received denture plate between the cups and said plate engaging portion of the rod, and means constraining the rod and the body member against relative turning and retaining the angularly disposed portion of the rod in a plane substantially bisecting the angle between the planes of the cup openings.

11. A grip for holding a denture plate of the type having a heel portion and a curved frontal portion, said grip comprising a body member, a clamping rod carried by the body member and longitudinally slidable relative thereto, said rod being formed at one end with an angularly disposed portion for engaging the frontal portion of a denture plate, said body member being formed with a portion at one end thereof having a pair of divergent limbs one on each side of the rod, each limb including a cup adapted to receive the heel portion of a denture plate, said heel receiving cups both being in a plane laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the rod, the rod and the body member being constrained against relative turning to retain the plate enaging portion of the rod in predetermined orientation to the body in all positions to which it is slidable, the angularly disposed portion of the rod extending from the rod axis toward the plane of the denture receiving cups, and resilient means biasing the rod normally to draw the angularly disposed plate engaging end toward the offset heel receiving cups in the limbs of the body in gripping a received denture plate therebetween.

12. A denture grip comprising a body member formed at one end with a pair of spaced cups for receiving spaced parts of the heel of a denture plate and formed at the opposite end with spaced finger receiving pads, a rod guided by the body member for longitudinal sliding movement, said rod having on one end means for engaging the frontal surface of a denture plate the heel of which is received in the cups, means biasing the rod to draw it yieldingly in a direction to grip a denture plate between said denture engaging means and the cups, and means on the other end of the rod for receiving pressure from the palm or thumb of the hand of an operator havin fingers disposed against the pads to shift the rod longitudinally on the body member and against the force of the biasing means in releasing a gripped denture plate and in opening the grip to receive a denture plate.

13. A grip for holding a denture plate of the type having a heel portion and a curved frontal portion, said grip comprising a body member and a slide member mounted and guided one on the other for relative slidin movement, one of said members being formed with spaced cups to receive spaced parts of the heel of a denture plate, the other member having means for engaging the frontal surface of a denture plate the heel of which is received in the cups, resilient means biasing the members to slide one on the other in a direction to grip a denture plate between said denture engagin means and the cups, and means on the members for receiving the fingers and thumb or palm of an operator to shift the members relatively one on the other and against the force of the biasing means in releasing a gripped denture plate and in opening the grip to receive a denture plate.

REINHOLD W. ERICKSON. CHARLES S. OLSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 649,723 Fischer et a1 May 15, 1900 891,543 Haughawout June 23, 1908 1,011,594 Dunham Dec. 12, 1911 1,884,541 Blohm, Jr Oct. 25, 1932 

